"Excellent. I was worried Captain Wang was some sort of rigid fool." Pei Shaoqing laughed, twirling his folding fan in his hand before snapping it open. He calmly stated, "I believe Zheng Xuancheng is a traitor from the Profound Yellow Sect. He's the reason the former County Magistrate's assassin has yet to be caught—he's been harboring them. The same applies to the Mo Mansion massacre."
With a mid-level manager from the Profound Sect like County Magistrate Wang cooperating, it would be easy to fabricate evidence proving Zheng Xuancheng is a traitor from the Profound Yellow Sect, leaving him with no way to defend himself.
"Young Master Pei wants my Holy Sect to help you frame Zheng Xuancheng. You get your revenge and earn merit at the same time... a fine idea that kills two birds with one stone." A look of realization dawned on County Magistrate Wang's face, but then his tone shifted. "But what do I get out of this collaboration?"
"My forgiveness," Pei Shaoqing replied.
County Magistrate Wang thought he had misheard. "Forgiveness?"
"That's right. My forgiveness!" Pei Shaoqing said with a smile, snapping his fan shut. "I will forgive you for colluding with Zheng Xuancheng to assassinate me. Otherwise, I need only report your true identity to my father. You'll either have to abandon your post and flee, or you'll face certain death. And all the Profound Yellow Sect's schemes in Tongzhou will come to nothing."
"So this isn't a collaboration so much as a one-sided threat," County Magistrate Wang said, his smile not reaching his eyes.
Pei Shaoqing returned the smile and didn't refute the statement. "Consider this the foundation for a long-term partnership," he said nonchalantly.
"And why should I believe you won't go back on your word and betray me once you have what you want?" County Magistrate Wang asked suspiciously.
'If I could form an alliance with Pei Shaoqing, it would be a huge boon for the Holy Sect's development in Tongzhou, and maybe even the entire country. For the Sect and for myself, I'm tempted... but I'm afraid he has other schemes in mind.'
Pei Shaoqing chuckled. "If I wanted to harm you, I could have just reported your identity to my father. Why go through all this trouble? I'm even willing to forgive your attempt on my life. Isn't that enough to prove my sincerity?"
Although he currently neither dared nor wanted to contact the Marquis's Mansion, that didn't stop him from using it as a bluff.
"Young Master Pei, your magnanimity is truly impressive. I'm in awe!" County Magistrate Wang said sincerely after a long silence, cupping his fist.
Pei Shaoqing shook his head. "I'm just someone who always chooses the most beneficial option for myself."
County Magistrate Wang exhaled. "Fine! Since you're so sincere, Young Master, I'll agree to this partnership. I'll have some of our sect's tokens and forged documents planted in Zheng Xuancheng's study. When the time is right, you can bring your men to catch him red-handed. The Holy Sect disciples who are arrested at the scene will testify against him."
Clearly, he had a man planted on the inside, close to Zheng Xuancheng.
"In that case, your Profound Yellow Sect will be losing a few men," Pei Shaoqing said with a click of his tongue.
County Magistrate Wang said with an air of righteous conviction, "For the great cause of the Holy Sect, every disciple must be willing to make sacrifices."
"If that's the case, how come we don't see Captain Wang leading the charge to sacrifice himself?" Pei Shaoqing retorted sarcastically.
But County Magistrate Wang didn't become flustered or angry. Instead, he answered seriously, "I have benefited from more of the sect's resources, so my death must be worth more than theirs. When that day comes, I will not hesitate."
Pei Shaoqing raised an eyebrow, staring intently at the man. He didn't seem to be lying. 'The Profound Yellow Sect's brainwashing techniques are incredible,' he thought, amazed. 'No wonder they've managed to survive for a thousand years without being wiped out, even if they've never truly succeeded.'
"Alright. In that case, I will await your good news, Captain."
"Farewell!" County Magistrate Wang turned and leaped over the wall, disappearing.
Only then did Gongsun Yi step forward. "Young Master," he urged anxiously, "the rebels of the Profound Sect are outlaws in every kingdom. You mustn't get too deeply involved with them."
He was afraid the Iron Sword Sect would be roped into their rebellion.
"Rest assured, Sect Leader Gongsun," Pei Shaoqing said. "I am the well-fed son of a marquis. Why would I ever join them in some rebellion? I'm merely using them."
Gongsun Yi breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that he was still thinking rationally, but he still added a word of caution. "The Profound Sect traitors are masters of manipulating hearts and minds. You must be careful, Young Master."
"Don't worry, they can't brainwash me," Pei Shaoqing said dismissively, a contemptuous smile on his face.
Ye Hanshuang walked over. She wasn't concerned about any rebellion. "Shaoqing," she said, "that guy tried to kill you. Are you really going to work with him?"
"That's why he's going to help me kill Zheng Xuancheng. Call it atonement." Pei Shaoqing turned to gaze at the top of the wall where County Magistrate Wang had disappeared. "Friends and enemies aren't fixed categories," he said quietly. "Friends can become enemies, and likewise, enemies can become friends. We'll just have to wait and see."
'He'd never been afraid to kill. He had slaughtered all those bandits on Phoenix Mountain—men he'd once shared meals with—without a moment's hesitation.'
'But killing was never the goal, only a means to an end. His true objective was to improve his own life. Wanting to kill County Magistrate Wang served that purpose, and now, so did cooperating with him.'
'If he could use County Magistrate Wang to achieve his goals, why go to the trouble of killing him?'
...............…
"Squad Leader!"
In an alley not far from the pawnshop, a group of people, led by the shopkeeper of the Gathering Fortune Inn, surrounded County Magistrate Wang.
"It's nothing. Everyone, disperse."
County Magistrate Wang waved his hand. He had no intention of revealing that he had just met with Pei Shaoqing, and certainly not their deal. If this truly established a long-term partnership, Pei Shaoqing would be immensely valuable to the Holy Sect.
Just as the Profound Yellow Sect had agents in the Imperial Court, the Court surely had spies within the Profound Yellow Sect. He had to be cautious to prevent any leaks that could jeopardize the arrangement.
Pei Shaoqing vaulted over the wall back to his home and was surprised to see candlelight still flickering in his room. He pushed the door open. Sure enough, Xie Qingwu was still awake. She had removed her makeup and was reading a book, her beautiful hair unbound and clad in a white silk nightgown.
He glanced over at the dressing table. General Li was sprawled on top of it, fast asleep. Pei Shaoqing's expression darkened. 'The one being monitored is still awake, but the monitor has already conked out.'
"You're back." Xie Qingwu put down her book and rose, walking over with a gentle smile. "I knew you wouldn't want to disturb anyone, so I figured it would be inconvenient for you to wash up. I had the maids leave two buckets of water in the room. You can just wash up here."
Perhaps fearing he would take advantage of her again, she had taken precautions this time. Instead of wearing only the cool, comfortable Ice Silk leggings for comfort, she had pulled on a pair of thin, white satin trousers over them.
But Pei Shaoqing's gaze subconsciously fell to her small, unshod feet. The Ice Silk was black, its thin, smooth fabric clinging tightly to her rounded ankles and delicate feet, which looked as if they could be held in a single grasp.
'Xie Qingwu thought wearing pants would be enough.'
'How naive.'
"Sometimes I really wonder if you're doing this on purpose," Pei Shaoqing said, looking up.
"Doing what on purpose?" Xie Qingwu found his comment baffling. Without giving it much thought, she stepped forward to help him remove his outer robe. "The water is still warm. You should wash up."
Pei Shaoqing suddenly spun around to face her.
"You—!" Caught off guard, Xie Qingwu jumped. She instinctively tried to step back, but Pei Shaoqing grabbed her hand and pulled her close. Looking down at her, he said with a smirk, "My lady, you are truly beautiful."
"Yes, yes, I know. Now let go of me," Xie Qingwu replied perfunctorily, nodding along. Suddenly sensing an intimate threat, she began to struggle, her face flushing crimson. She glared at him. "Wait! What do you think you're doing?"
"My lady, let me ask you a question," Pei Shaoqing said seriously. "Are you an ungrateful person?"
Though she found the question bizarre, she blurted out, "Of course not! I always repay any kindness shown to me."
"It's good that you repay kindness. In that case, you should repay me as well," Pei Shaoqing said with a perfectly straight face.
Xie Qingwu's eyes went wide. "Repay you for what?"
"For saving your life. That day, I only killed your husband; I didn't kill you. That's as good as saving your life," Pei Shaoqing said, his expression completely serious. "Shouldn't you return the favor?"
"You... you shameless bastard!" Realizing what Pei Shaoqing was implying, Xie Qingwu panicked, her body trembling with rage. "Villain! Let me go!"
Startled awake by the shouting, General Li glanced at the Jade Pendant on its chest. "My lord, if this humble servant may offer an impartial word..."
"Get out!"
"As you command!" General Li leaped out the window.
That was as much as a single braided cord would allow.
Pei Shaoqing could only settle for second best. He lowered his gaze to her feet—plump, soft, and a perfect handful wrapped in black silk. "If my lady is unwilling," he said, "then your husband is a man who knows how to be content with less."
"How could you... People can't... At least, you shouldn't..." Xie Qingwu was so angry she was speechless. Utterly defeated, she took a deep breath, fighting back her shame, and whispered, her face burning, "Fine... just go wash up first."
...............
County Magistrate Wang was swift. The very next day, while Pei Shaoqing was eating breakfast, a messenger arrived to inform him that everything was in place. They could make their move at any time.
The hunt for Zheng Xuancheng had begun!